Congresswoman Simon Votes NO on FISA Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released the following statement after she voted against S. 1318, the Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act, which would reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Section 702 of FISA provides the government with the authority to conduct surveillance of non-U.S. citizens abroad and the original intent is to protect national security. However, Section 702 has been utilized beyond its original intent and there is a long history of abuse of this authority to conduct warrantless searches of Americans' private communications, including on Black Lives Matter protestors and those protesting U.S. military action abroad.

"Yesterday, I voted no on S. 1318, legislation to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

"I cannot vote to reauthorize a program with a long history of abuse, especially under this current Administration. This bill does not include any meaningful guardrails to protect Americans' Fourth Amendment rights, including from data brokers seeking to exploit Americans' personal data. It is imperative that Congress enact real reforms that uphold Americans' civil liberties and our nation's democratic values."

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